Byron Marshall has top end speed and top end potential
Byron Marshall
5'10'', 200 lbs. | Class of 2012
Hometown: San Jose, CA
School: Valley Christian High School
Position: Running Back
Status: Signed letter of intent, Oregon 2/1/2012
After signing his letter of intent today, Byron Marshall starts work on becoming the next great Oregon running back.
Marshall lettered as a freshman and made the U.S. Army All-American team as a senior. In his last three years as a prep he scored 51 touchdowns, rushing for 1,035, 1,360 and 914 yards. He missed three games his senior year with an injury, but still averaged a whopping 9.38 yards a carry.
With LaMichael James graduating and Dontae Williams and Lache Seastrunk leaving the program last year, Marshall has the ability and the opportunity to challenge for immediate playing time.
photo right: Byron Marshall stiffarmed Cal and ASU to become a Duck, and fans will be delighted he did (bearinsider.com photo).
Marshall's a great fit for the Oregon system, powerful, shifty and fast. He can break ankles or bust tackles, and he's tremendous in the open field with excellent vision, balance and cutting ability. Duck Sports Authority's Tony DiFrancisco, a must-follow for Webfoot fans on Twitter for his timely information and impeccable sources, offered this quick assessment when the promising running back first announced:
"Some measurables on Oregon's new RB commit, Byron Marshall- 5'10, 200 lbs, 10.67 100M, 300+ bench, 510 squat, 485 dead lift, 255 Power Clean"
The strength numbers pop out immediately, uncommon for a high school offensive lineman, let alone a running back, a testimony to a remarkable focus and work ethic. Consider that 322-lb. Mark Asper, a 6-7, 322-lb, senior, led all Duck offensive linemen with a 500-lb squat last winter, and Ike Remington was tops among the d-linemen at 445.
Marshall has a tremendous athletic background. Mitch Stephens of maxpreps.com reports that the talented running back's father, Greg Marshall is the trainer for San Clara University and the San Jose Sabercats. His mother Tammie is a track coach at Valley Christian, and brother Cameron is the star running back for Arizona State. Sister Dahylis runs the sprints and hurdles for the Arizona Wildcats. His parents were athletes and teammates in college. Marshall runs a 4.4 40, vertical jumps 33 inches and benches 325, natural athletic ability honed from a very young age, chasing after and competing with his older siblings and their friends.
The running style immediate suggests Kenjon Barner, but Marshall is already bigger and significantly stronger. He's very quick to the hole, patient in setting up blocks, and tremendously efficient in his cuts, upfield and full speed. He has the great vision and runs decisively, productive on every play.
The San Jose speedster darted for 1,632 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior. This season he missed two and a half games with an injured shoulder, but still managed 757 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns. He's a lethal return man with five career tds, also doubles as lockdown defensive back, and even served as his team's punter in their opener, 5 punts for a 41.8-yard average.
Marshall told Greg Biggins of espn.com, “I’m very excited and relieved this is over. I've been thinking Oregon was the place for me for a few weeks now. I just feel like Oregon is a great fit for me in a lot of ways. I love the offense and the success they have had running the football. I think I fit in well with that offense, I’m a power guy that can also get outside and Oregon does a great job getting their players in space."
He's been selected for the Army All-American game, and he's a former Central Coast section champion in the 100 meters. On the field, Marshall has a reputation as a trash talker in the John Boyett/Rashard Bauman tradition, passionate and intense. He explained to Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News, "I'm not a bad guy. I have fun as I play ... referees are a little bit more strict with me than they are with other players, but I've put that on myself.
"I talk more than I should, (but) if I'm talking to someone I've got to back it up. It motivates me to play that much better."
The competitive fire cost him some painful lessons. Twice he was flagged for taunting during games, missing two playoff game with suspensions. Oregon running backs coach Gary Campbell, a master at counseling and developing players, will be challenged to channel that intensity.
To Stephens he said about the on-field chatter, "I'm kind of a natural at it. I like it. It's what I do. It's fun. I try to conquer my opponent mentally and then physically. Get them out of their game. It's really why I do it. To gain an advantage. But obviously at points the last two years it hasn't worked. I need to adjust."
Marshall is also intent on playing as a true freshman. With LaMichael James likely to leave and the VCHS star's physical maturity, it's a strong possibility. Earlier this fall he told Pavlovic, "I don't want to go in somewhere and redshirt," he said. "I want to start. I want to play. "
Many top prospects draw out their recruiting process with a signing ceremony or a news conference, but Rivals' #6 prospect was decisive, announcing it through his coach with little fanfare. He'll thrive at Oregon, a great prospect to continue what's become an outstanding running back tradition, great players getting the ball with room to run.
not to discount a recruiting analyst, but i would guess that the 510 squat is including his body weight which isn't the way that its measured by normal people. a 310 lb squat is still really good for a high school senior rb
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I believe the backfield will be another strength for the Ducks. I'm excited to see Kenyon, and Bryan, but hope to see Tra break out next year. And the more I read about Bralon, he sounds like another multi- threat weapon like DAT, plus he can throw. IM drooling with anticipation.
Then we add Josh, Devon,Taco, BJ, Dwayane, and Chance. Well Puddles better be training to do a large volume of pushups.
And then on defense...
Addison accounted for 46 touchdowns as a senior, a very dynamic player who can excel in a variety of roles, similar to Josh Huff or DAT. The redshirt freshman receivers should be fabulous, and Stanford and Allen are tall, physical additions. Some great upgrades on the defense, hitters with athletic ability galore.
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Dale, I think Byron is going to be the defacto #2 rb behind KB this year. DAT will stay at the TZR and Tra doesn't have Byron's top end speed and burst. The only thing that might change that is if Bralon Addison decides he wants to be a RB instead of a WR. If Bralon makes that change, it could be interesting in Fall camp.
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@SteveBusby I think you might be surprised by Tra Carson's productivity this year. I know we like our "hyper speed" in Duckland....but Tra has plenty of speed and moves for someone with a 230 pound frame. I think he will be a pleasant surprise this year and will carry the rock more than people think.
Carson did average over 5 yards a carry this year and ran well in spot duty. As his body matures, he'll be a load and effective in a role like LeGarrette Blount's. There is more than one way to succeed in this offense.
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@jchrissmith0007 I like Tra and what he brings to the field. I just saw him run last year and so many times he was one "burst" away from a big gainer. He has decent top end speed..it just takes him a bit to get there. His acceleration isn't abrupt like LMJ, KB or DAT...and that "burst" is something Marshall DOES have.
Marshall is a great combination of slasher with the power to break tackles and the acceleration to break a long gain. His as big now as LMJ and KB were as juniors, and pound-for-pound, one of the strongest Ducks ever, phenomenally advanced in his training.
Interesting point about Addison, who definitely has the game-breaking athletic ability to be effective in a variety of positions after playing spread quarterback and safety in high school. Remember Kenjon Barner came to the Ducks as a defensive back. They like to recruit smart athletes with speed and talent, and let them find where they fit best.
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@Dale Newton@SteveBusby A pitch sweep to Addison could easily turn into a long TD to "fill in the blank". He has the arm to make the throw on the move, the running ability to sell the run, and the smarts to know when to throw and when not to. Just a thought.
Chip is such an innovator, he's bound to dial up that wrinkle sooner or later. One of the great things about following recruiting is that it allows you to get to know the incoming players, their skills and possibilities.
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I'm sooo excited to see Bryan on the field. Besides his skills I like his style. He made a decision for Oregon and moved on. He did not do it with any narsacistic commitment show. I'm tired of hats on a table. It's football not world peace. Thanks Bryan. Welcome to the Quack Attack. Via iPhone
Definitely agree with you about the overdone signing day ceremonies, and it's to Marshall's credit that he committed and went back to work. If I hear one more kid do the hat dance and announce that he's "taking his talents" somewhere I will run from the keyboard screaming.
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Marshall is a terrific athlete with tremendous intensity, desire and focus, and in those ways, he most reminds me of LaMichael James.
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@Dale Newton@nyduck His size, speed, strength combo remind me of MoMo. I think Byron is more of a slasher than Maurice was, though.
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Marshall's running style fits very well with Barner or Morris. He can run inside or sprint wide, finishes runs really well. Great energy on the field, competitive drive. Remember too that Gary Campbell is his running backs coach, and Campbell has groomed a long succession of good ones.
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Probably be the most interesting and closely-watched Spring Practice ever. Lots of story lines and position battles, with Armstead, Baylis and Rodrigues coming in early. Athletic office announced today that the Spring Game will be April 28th.
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always very interesting to see what comes next with this team,,, each year you get so many great surprises.. dat and lyerla last year, etc... and the defensive side really has a few that might impact right away too this year,, and last years redshirts, im expecting a few stars to emerge,,, great anticipation each new version of this team each year in this golden era,,, and with a new qb starter,,, even moreso!!
